Electrophotographic copying machine having editorial function

ABSTRACT

An electrophotographic copying machine having an editorial function includes an original table formed on the top surface of a main unit, and an original is placed thereon while facing upward. A shaft is installed in the vicinity of one end of the top surface of the main unit, and this shaft supports rotatably an optical system for scanning the original so as to be able to contact with or part from the original table. A transparent tablet is placed between the original and the optical system, and this table works in cooperation with a write pen. After placing the original, an operator puts the tablet thereon and operates the pen to specify the position of the original intended to be edited. Responsively, the positional data thereof is outputted from the tablet. In a trimming mode or a masking mode, LEDs constituting a partial eraser are lighted in response to the positional data, and an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum is modified. In a centering mode, paper feed timing is controlled in response to the positional data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electrophotographic copying machinehaving an editorial function. More specifically, the present inventionrelates to an electrophotographic copying machine which forms anelectrostatic latent image directly on a photosensitive member by thereflected light in scanning an original and performs image editing suchas trimming, masking or centering in accordance with the electrostaticlatent image.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Two kinds of copying machines capable of editing an image, in roughclassification, have been already put on sale. A first one is, forexample, a combination of the "FP-1520" and the processing table"FA-T100B4" manufactured by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.,being disclosed, for example, in the Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.87470/1984 laid open on May 21, 1984. A second one is, for example, the"NP-9030" manufactured by Canon, Inc. or the "U-Bix1810MR" manufacturedby Konishiroku Photo Industry Co., Ltd.

The first prior art is such that an original is placed on an editor forediting an image; and positions of trimming, masking and the like arespecified by an input pen, and thereafter the original is transferred toan original table to execute copying processing.

The second prior art is such that an original is placed facing upward, atransparent sheet with coordinates is further placed thereon.Coordinates of the position of the original are found through thetransparent sheet, and they are entered through keys. Thereafter theoriginal is turned over and put on the original table to execute copyingprocessing.

In the first prior art, the original has to be put on the original tablein the copying stage after specifying the position for editing theimage, and therefore the specified position sometimes deviates from theposition of the original. Also, this first prior art cannot accommodatea thick original such as a book.

In the second prior art, since the editorial position is specifiedthrough keys, operation is complicated, the original has to be turnedover, and the position deviates as in the first prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a principal object of the present invention is to provide anelectrophotographic copying machine having an editorial function whicheliminates deviation of the specified editorial position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide anelectrophotographic copying machine having an editorial function whichfacilitates editorial operation.

To be brief, the present invention is an electrophotographic copyingmachine having an editorial function which comprises an original tablefor placing an original with an original face to be copied facing upwardand a tablet which is composed of a transparent or semi-transparentmaterial, disposed on the original face of the original placed on theoriginal table and can specify a position by a pen, a movable lightsource, optical scanning means for scanning the original face on theoriginal table, a photosensitive member which is exposed by the lightfrom the optical scanning means, and image forming means for forming acopied image in accordance with the positional data from the tablet bymeans of the photosensitive member and that positional data.

In the present invention, an original is put on the original table withthe original face to be copied facing upward. The tablet is placed onthe original face of the original. The tablet is transparent orsemi-transparent, and accordingly the position on the original face canbe ascertained visually through the tablet. The position on the originalface intended to be edited is specified on the tablet by a pen. Thetablet generates positional data according to the position of the pen,that is, the position of the original face. On the other hand, theoptical scanning means performs exposure-scanning on the original facefrom above. At this time, the tablet is left intact or removed from theoriginal face. The photosensitive member is exposed by the light fromthe optical scanning means, and an electrostatic latent image is formedon the photosensitive member. The image forming means forms a copiedimage edited in accordance with the positional data from theabove-described tablet by means of the electrostatic latent image formedon the photosensitive member and that positional data.

In accordance with the present invention, the original is placed withthe original face facing upward, the position is specified by the tabletand the pen from above the original face, and copying can be performedwith the original left intact. Unlike either of the above-describedfirst and second prior arts, the specified position never deviates fromthe position on the original face.

Also, in accordance with the present invention, the position can bespecified by the tablet and the pen, and therefore operation forspecifying the position is very simple in comparison with the case ofkey entry as in the case with the second prior art.

Furthermore, by making the original table capable of accommodating athick original as in the case with the embodiment, copying and editingof a book or the like can be further facilitated.

These objects and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the embodiments of the present invention when taken inconjunction with accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustrative structural view showing one embodiment inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are illustrative structural views showing operation ofthe FIG. 1 embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing one example of a controlled system ofthis embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a position specifying apparatus ofFIG. 4 including a tablet.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing operation of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C are flowcharts showing operation of oneembodiment in accordance with the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an illustrative view showing a trimming mode.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative view showing a masking mode.

FIG. 10 is an illustrative view showing a centering mode.

FIG. 11 is an illustrative view showing on-timing of a register rollerin the centering mode.

FIG. 12 is an illustrative structural view showing another embodiment inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an illustrative structural view showing operation of the FIG.12 embodiment.

FIG. 14 is aan illustrative structural view showing still anotherembodiment in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an illustrative structural view showing another embodiment inaccordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is an illustrative cross-sectional view for explaining oneembodiment in accordance with the present invention. Anelectrophotographic copying machine 10 includes a main unit 12, and anoriginal table 14, which has an opening at the top and is box-shaped asa whole, is installed in a fixed fashion on the top surface of this mainunit 12. Inside the original table 14, a plurality of coil springs 16,16,--are installed so that the elastic forces thereof act upward. Thebottom ends of the respective coil springs 16 are fixed to the bottomplate of the original table 14, and a flexible original holding plate 18is mounted on the top ends of the coil springs 16. Thus, by supportingthe flexible original holding plate 18 by a plurality of coil springs16, the machine 10 can accommodate not only a sheet original but also athick original such as a book. When an original 20 put on the originalholding plate 18 is pushed from above, the original holding plate 18 isdeformed responding to the thickness of the original 20, and therefore,as shown in FIG. 1, the face to be copied, that is, the original face ofthe original can be held flat at a predetermined height.

Meanwhile, in order to accommodate a thick original such as a book, anelevator member capable of moving up and down may be used, besides usingthe above-described coil springs 16 and the flexible original holdingplate 18.

An original cover 22 formed with a transparent material such as glass issupported in a manner capable of opening and closing by a shaft 24 atone end of the top part of the original table 14. A tablet 28 capable ofspecifying the position by a write pen 26 is installed on the originalcover 22. This tablet 28 is composed of a flexible transparent orsemi-transparent sheet member, and includes transparent electrodesdisposed in a matrix pattern as described in detail later in referenceto FIG. 5. One end of the tablet 28 is attached to a take-up roller 30,and a knob part 32 is formed at the other end thereof. Then, the tablet28 is normally spooled up by the take-up roller 30 to be accommodated asshown in FIG. 2, and the same is drawn out by the knob part 32 and ishooked at an end part 22a of the original cover 22 only when specifyingthe position for editing by operating the write pen 26. Thus, the tablet28 constituting position specifying means can be disposed on theoriginal face of the original 20 only when required.

A shaft 34 is installed in the upper vicinity of the take-up roller 30,and an optical system 36 is supported by this shaft 34 so as to becapable of opening upward and closing downward. In the optical system36, a movable light source, constituting a part of scanning means, isinstalled so as to be movable from one end to the other end and viceversa as shown in FIG. 3, in order to scan the original face of theoriginal 20 while exposing. A reflecting mirror 40 having an ellipticcross-section is installed in association with the movable light source38. A first movable mirror 42 is fixed to the reflecting mirror 40. Whenthe movable light source 38 is moved by a servo motor (not shown) to theposition shown by dotted lines in FIG. 3, the original 20 whose originalface is flattened by the original cover 22 is slit-exposured. Secondmovable mirrors 44 and 46 are installed in association with the firstmovable mirror 42, and these second movable mirrors 44 and 46 are forreflecting further the original image reflected by the first movablemirror 42 towards a zoom lens 48. Since the zoom lens 48 is employed,this electrophotographic copying machine 10 is constituted in a variablemagnification fashion. Then, a pair of the second movable mirrors 44 and46 are moved in the same direction as that of this movable light source38 at a speed which is half the moving speed of the movable light source38. In front of the zoom lens 48, a fixed reflecting mirror 50 forreflecting the original image transmitted through the lens 48 toward aphotosensitive drum 52 is installed.

A charging corotron 54 for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 52in a specific polarity is installed upstream from the position ofexposure of the photosensitive drum 52, that is, the position where theoriginal image is produced by the reflecting mirror 50.

A partial erase lamp 56 wherein a plurality of LEDs are arranged in aline in the direction of width of the photosensitive drum 52 isinstalled in parallel with the shaft of the photosensitive drum 52downstream from the above-described position of exposure of thephotosensitive drum 52. The partial erase lamp 56 is constituted as anLED array including a plurality of LEDs 56l-56m as shown in FIG. 8 orFIG. 9. Such a partial erase lamp 56, as described later, is utilizedfor partially erasing the electrostatic latent image formed on thephotosensitive drum 52 when editing the image in response to positionalinformation for editing.

A developing apparatus 58 is installed further downstream from thepartial erase lamp 56. The developing apparatus 58 develops theelectrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 52, usingtoner.

A paper feeding part 60 is formed at one end of the copying machine mainunit 12, and in this embodiment, two paper feed cassettes 62 and 64 areloaded in this paper feeding part 60 in a manner to permit loading andunloading. Paper size sensors 66 and 68 are installed respectively atthe tip parts of the paper feed cassettes 62 and 64. Among papers 70accommodated in the paper feed cassette 62 and 64, the uppermost paperis pushed against a paper feed roller 72. The paper-feed roller 72removes the pushed paper 70 one by one in sequence in the direction ofregister roller 74 by means of rotation thereof.

A transferring corotron 76 and a separating corotron 78 are installed ina one-piece fashion downstream from the developing apparatus 58. Whenthe paper 70 is fed from the paper feed cassette 62 or 64, a toner imageformed on the photosensitive drum 52 is transferred to the paper 70 bythe transferring corotron 76. In transferring by the transferringcorotron 76, the paper is attracted to the photosensitive drum 52 and isabout to move together with this photosensitive drum 52, but isseparated by the separating corotron 78, being sent toward a vacuumconveyor 80.

A cleaning apparatus 82 is installed along the photosensitive drum 52downstream from the transferring corotron 76 (upper right thereof inFIG. 1), and this cleaning apparatus 82 removes the toner left on thephotosensitive drum 52 after transferring.

A full erase lamp 83 is installed further upstream from the cleaningapparatus 82, that is, between the charging corotron 54 and the cleaningapparatus 82.

The paper separated from the photosensitive drum 52 by the separatingcorotron 78 is sent to a fixing apparatus 84 by the vacuum conveyor 80.The fixing apparatus 84 includes a heating roller 86 incorporating aheater and a pressing roller 88 for press-contacting the paper with thisheating roller 86. Accordingly, the toner image transferred on the paper70 is heated and pressed by the two rollers 86 and 88, being fixed tothe paper 70. The paper after fixing is discharged onto a copy receivingtray 90 by a pair of paper discharging rollers.

A driving motor 81 for rotating the photosensitive drum 52 is installedabove the vacuum conveyor 80, and a control box 92 is formed above thefixing apparatus 84, and electronic components for control system asdescribed later are incorporated in this control box 92.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing one example of a control system ofthis embodiment. A control system includes a CPU 94. The CPU 94 controlsthe whole operations of the electrophotographic copying machine 10. AROM 96 for storing a control program and so on and a RAM 98 whichtemporarily stores data during control by the CPU 94 and has a regionfor various flags required for the control, a timer region and a table99 for the partial erase lamp 56 as described later are connected to theCPU 94. Also, the above-described paper size sensors 66 and 68 areconnected to the CPU 94 through and I/O port 100, an a positionspecifying apparatus 102 including the tablet 28 is also connectedthereto. The partial erase lamp 56 is connected to the I/O port 100, andaccordingly, lighting and putting out of a plurality of LEDs 56l-56m(FIG. 8 or FIG. 9) contained in the partial erase lamp 56 are controlledby the CPU 94. A mechanism (for example, a clutch solenoid) for theregister roller 74 is further connected to the I/O port 100, andaccordingly opening, closing and timing of opening and closing of theregister roller 74 are controlled by the CPU 94.

In reference to FIG. 5, the tablet 28 is formed by superposing twotransparent sheets 104 and 106. A pluraity of strip-shaped transparentelectrodes 108, 108,--and 110, 110,--are formed on the surfaces to besuperposed of the respective transparent sheets 104 and 106 so as to beorthogonal to each other. In other words, a matrix is formed by thetransparent electrodes 108 and 110, and the direction of arrangement ofthe transparent electrodes 108 is equivalent to the X-axis and thedirection of arrangement of the transparent electrodes 110 is equivalentto the Y-axis. Accordingly, by an action of the write pen 26 on thetable 28, the position on the X-axis and the position on the Y-axis canbe detected.

As shown in FIG. 6, sequential outputs Q1, Q2, Q3,--Qn-1, Qn of a shiftregister 112 are processed by an AND gate along with the clock signaland are applied to the respective transparent electrodes 108 as scanningvoltages X1, X2, X3,--Xn-1, Xn.

As shown in FIG. 6, sequential outputs R1, R2, R3,--Rn-1, Rn of a shiftregister 114 are processed by an AND gate together with the clock signaland are applied to the respective transparent electrodes 110 as scanningvoltages Y1, Y2, Y3,--Yn-1, Yn.

When the write pen 26 is brought in contact with or close to the tablet28, as shown in FIG. 6, a voltage is induced on the write pen 26 byelectrostatic induction from the transparent electrodes 108 and 110 justunder the write pen 26. The voltage obtained on the write pen 26 isamplified by an amplifier 116, and noise is eliminated by a filter 118,and thereafter the voltage undergoes waveform-processing by a waveshaper 120, being inputted to latching circuits 122 and 124 as a pulsesignal.

On the other hand, counters 126 and 128 are installed, and the sameclock signal as the clock signal given to the shift registers 112 and114 is given to these counters 126 and 128. Accordingly, the counters126 and 128 are incremented in synchronism with the outputs Q1, Q2,--andR1, R2,--of the shift registers 112 and 114. Then, the latching circuits122 and 124 receive outputs of these counters 126 and 128. Accordingly,as described above, when pulse output from the write pen 26 is inputtedto the latching circuits 122 and 124, as shown in FIG. 6, the countedvalues of the counters 126 and 128 at that timing are latched by thelatching circuits 122 and 124, respectively. Thus, the coordinateposition can be specified by the tablet 28 and the write pen 26.

Next, description is made of operation of this embodiment based onflowcharts as shown in FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C in reference to FIG.4. Meanwhile, controls on the normal electrophotographic copyingmachines are well known, and here description is made principally on thecontrols for editing, that is, trimming, masking and centering.

Prior to description of operation, schematic description is made of thetrimming mode, the masking mode and the centering mode respectively inreference to FIG. 8-FIG. 10.

In the trimming mode, as shown in FIG. 8, only the portion of theelectrostatic latent image equivalent to a rectangular region 130connecting two specified points P1(X1, Y1) and P2(X2, Y2) is left intactand the remaining portion of the electrostatic latent image, as shown byoblique lines in FIG. 8, is erased. Accordingly, in this mode, aplurality of LEDs 56l-56m contained in the partial erase lamp 56 arelighted only outside this region 130.

In the masking mode, as shown in FIG. 9, only the portion of theelectrostatic latent image equivalent to a rectangular region 132connecting two specified points P1(X1, Y1) and P2(X2, Y2) (shown byoblique lines in FIG. 9) is erased, and the remaining portion of theelectrostatic latent image is left intact. Accordingly, in this mode, aplurality of LEDs 56l-56m contained in the partial erase lamp 56 arelighted only in this region 132.

In the centering mode, as shown in FIG. 10, only one point is specified,and based on the coordinate data of that point P3(X3, Y3), the center ofthe toner image in the direction of the X-axis is registered with thepoint P3 in transferring the toner image onto the paper. This meansthat, in this mode, the partial erase lamp 56 is not used, and asdescribed later, the paper feed timing is controlled by the coordinatedata and the paper size.

Before starting the copying process, the operator first opens theoriginal cover 22 and puts the original 20 on the original holding plate18 so that the original face thereof faces upward. Subsequently theoperator closes the original cover 22. At this time, the originalholding plate 18 is deformed against the elastic force of the coilsprings 16 and the original face of the original 20 is flattened.

Thereafter, the operator pulls out the flexible tablet 28 while grippingthe knob part 32, and disposes the same on the original cover 22. Then,as shown in FIG. 1, the operator specifies the position on the tablet28, that is, the position on the original face of the original 20intended to be edited using the write pen.

By a mode-select switch (not illustrated), an editing mode, that is, anyone of trimming, masking and centering, is selected. In the case of thetrimming or masking mode, as described above, two points P1 and P2 haveto be specified. In the case of the centering mode, one point P3 hasonly to be specified.

In the first step S11 in FIG. 7A, the CPU 94 decides whether or not thespecified editing mode is trimming or masking. Then, if the decision ismade that the trimming or masking mode has been selected in this stepS11, processing proceeds to step S13, and a decision is made on whetheror not two points have been specified. Because, in the case of thetrimming mode or the masking mode, as described above, the coordinatedata of two points are required.

In step S13, if it is detected that the positions of two points on theoriginal 20 have been inputted as shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9, output ofthe position specifying apparatus 102 (FIG. 4) including the tablet 28is inputted to the CPU 94 through the I/O port 100. This means that theCPU 94 reads the coordinate data from the latching circuits 122 and 124(FIG. 5) in step S15. The data of these two points P1(X1, Y1) and P2(X2,Y2) are stored temporarily in a proper region of a RAM 98.

If it is decided that the positional data of two points has not beeninputted in step S13, the CPU 94 displays a message "input one morepoint" using displaying means (not illustrated) to call the operator'sattention in step S17.

If the coordinates of the two points P1(X1,Y1) and P2(X2,Y2) aredetermined in step S15, the CPU 94, in step S19, calculates the lightingtime and the light persisting time for each of a plurality of LEDs56l-56m contained in the partial erase lamp 56.

To be detailed, in the trimming mode, as shown in FIG. 8 and thefollowing table, all the LEDs 56l-56m are to be lit, up to the positionX1 of the X-axis, only the LEDs corresponding to the positions from Y1to Y2 of Y-axis are to be out, from the position X1 to X2 of the X-axis,and all the LEDs are to be lit beyond the position X2 of the X-axis. Inthe masking mode, as shown in FIG. 9 and the following table, all theLEDs 56l-56m are to be out up to the position X1 of the X-axis, and onlythe LEDs corresponding to the positions from Y1 to Y2 of Y-axis to beout when from the position X1 to X2 of X-axis and all the LEDs are to beout beyond the position X2 of the X-axis.

                  TABLE                                                           ______________________________________                                        Partial erase                                                                           Partial erase lamp to be lighted                                    time      Trimming        Masking                                             ______________________________________                                         ##STR1## 1 ˜ m     Nothing (all put out)                                ##STR2##                                                                                ##STR3##       If Y1 < Y2, Y1 ˜ Y2                                      ##STR4##       If Y1 > Y2, Y2 ˜ Y1                            ##STR5## 1 ˜ m     Nothing (all put out)                               ______________________________________                                    

Then, the data of LEDs to be lit or out thus calculated are stored inthe table 99 (FIG. 4) formed in the RAM 98 in step S19.

If the above-described positional data is canceled in the next step S21,the data of the table 99 are cleared in the following step S23, andprocessing returns to step S13.

If the input is not canceled in step S21, processing proceeds to stepS25, and in this step S25, the CPU 94 decides whether or not the mode isof trimming. Such a decision is achieved by checking the state of a modeselect switch (not illustrated) operated previously by the operator.

If the mode is of trimming, the CPU 94, in step S29, sets the time datain the on-timer for counting the timing when the register roller 74(FIG. 1) is to be turned on. The time data set at this time is the sameas in the case with the normal copying mode. Because, in the trimmingmode (also the same in the masking mode), unlike the centering mode, noadjustment of paper feed timing is required.

If "NO" is decided in the previus step S25, that is, if the mode is notof trimming, then it is the masking mode, and the data set in the table99 of the RAM 98 in the previous step S19 is inverted. This means that,in this masking mode, the LEDs 56l-56m contained in the partial eraselamp 56 are light or put out in an aspect quite reverse to the trimmingmode. More specifically, in step S19, the data of the LEDs of thepartial erase lamp 56 to be lighted and the times thereof are set in thetable 99, but these data are inverted, and accordingly, as shown in theprevious table, the data of the LEDs not to be lighted and the timesthereof are set in the table 99.

After the normal time data is set in the on-timer for the registerroller 74 in step S29, the CPU 94 decides whether or not copying hasbeen initiated, that is, a copy button (not illustrated) has beenoperated in step S31. Then, if the copy button has been operated,processing proceeds to the next step S33.

In step 33, the driving motor 81 for rotating the photosensitive drum52, high-voltage circuits for the charging corotron 54 and the like, andthe full erase lamp 83 and so on are supplied with voltage, and thepaper 70 starts to be transferred from the paper feed cassette 62 or 64toward the register roller 74 by the paper roller 72.

Next, in the step S35, a certain idling time is counted based on aprogram of copying processing incorporated in a ROM 96.

After the lapse of a certain time, in the next step S37, the servo motorfor scanning the movable light source 38 and the movable mirror 42 areenergized, and the on-timer for the register roller 74 set in theprevious step S29 initiates decrement.

Then, in step S39, if the lapse of a certain time is detected as in stepS35, in the following step S41, the timer of the partial erase lamp 56formed in the RAM 98 initiates a decrement based on the time data set inthe table 99 of the RAM 98.

Next, in step S43, based on the LED data set in the table 99 in theprevious step S19, the CPU 94 lights the LEDs to be lighted in thepartial erase lamp 56.

In the following step S45, decision is made on whether or not there hasbeen an expiration of the on-timer for register roller 74 initiatingdecrement in the previous step S37. If the timer has expired, the CPU94, in step S47, gives a signal to a mechanism, for example, a clutchsolenoid for the register roller 74. Responsively, the register roller74 is turned on, and the paper 70 is transferred again toward thephotosensitive drum 52.

In the next step S49, jamming is checked. if the paper 70 jams, the jamis displayed on the displaying means, and the jam processing isperformed.

If no jamming is detected, in the next step S51, the CPU 94 decideswhether or not exposure-scanning of the original face of the original 20by means of the movable light source 38, the movable mirror 42 and thelike has been completed.

If the exposure-scanning has been completed, in step S53, the CPU 94turns off the power sources for the charging corotron 54, the movablelight source 38 and so on. Then, in step S55, decision is made onwhether or not copying has been completed. If copying has beencompleted, processing proceeds to step S59, and if not completed, thecopy quantity is counted down in step S57, and processing returns tostep S37.

In step S59, decision is made on whether or not the paper 70 has beendischarged onto the copy receiving tray 90. If the paper 70 has beendischarged, the copying machine is put in the standby state, and if notdischarged, jam processing is performed as in the previous step S49.

Next, when the trimming mode or the masking mode is not selected in stepS11, that is, when the centering mode is selected, processing proceedsto the routine shown in FIG. 7C, and in step S59, decision is made onwhether or not point input by means of the write pen 26 and the tablet28 has been performed. If point input has been performed, processingproceeds to step S61, and if not performed, the CPU 94, in the step S63,has the displaying means display a message "input center point" to callthe operator's attention.

In the next step S61, the CPU 94 takes only the position X3 on theX-axis of the pointP3(X3, Y3) inputted from the latching circuit 122included in the position specifying apparatus 102 into the RAM 98.

Also, in step 65, the output of the paper size sensor 66 or 68 isinputted to the CPU 94 through the I/O 100.

Next, in step 67, decision is made on whether or not position-specifyinghas been canceled. If input has been canceled, the CPU 94, in step S69,clears the data stored in the RAM 98 in the previous step S61, andprocessing returns to step S59.

If no input is canceled, in step S71, the CPU 84 calculates the timingfor turning on the register roller 74, based on the positional data ofX3 stored in the RAM 98 and the size data detected by the paper sizesensor 66 or 68.

To be detailed, in the case of the normal copying, as shown in FIG. 11,the reflected light 134 is projected from a point A, and anelectrostatic latent image is formed on the rotating photosensitive drum52. When the photosensitive drum 52 is rotated and this point A reachesa point B, the register roller 74 is turned on, and the paper 70 istransferred toward the photosensitive drum 52 at that timing.Accordingly, in the case of the normal copying, the tip of the paper 70coincides with the point A of the tip of the electrostatic latent image,and the tip of the copied image coincides with the tip of the paper.

On the other hand, in the centering mode, the timing of operation of theregister roller 74 is controlled so that the center of the copied imagein the direction of X-axis coincides with the specified position. Inother words, in the centering mode, the copied image is moved parallelto the direction of the X-axis by advancing or delaying the timing whenthe register 74 is to be turned on. This means that, as shown in FIG.10, when the X-axis position X3 of the point P3 is moved parallel to thedirection of the X-axis by a distance d, in FIG. 11, the register roller74 has only to be turned on when a pivot equivalent to the position ofX3 coincides with a point C. Then, the copied image is moved in aparallel fashion by the distance d, being disposed at the center of thepaper. A time t enabling point P3 to coincide with the point C is givenby the following equation, ##EQU1## providing that D≧L/2 where,

D: distance from point A to point B on the peripheral surface ofphotosensitive drum 52

L: length of paper 70

S: peripheral velocity of photosensitive drum 52

Thus, in step S71, the time t of advance or delay of the timing when theregister roller 74 is turned on is calculated. This time t correspondsto the time when decrement is initiated for the on-timer for theregister roller 74 set in the previous step S29.

If the time t for adjusting the timing when the register roller 74 isturned on is calculated in step S71, processing returns to step S31 asshown in FIG. 7A. Operations in step S31 and following steps are thesame as in the above-described trimming or masking mode except that, instep S37, decrement of the on-timer for the register roller 74 set inthe step S29 is initiated based on the time t calculated in step S71.

FIG. 12 is an illustrative cross-sectional view showing an innerstructure of an electrophotographic copying machine of anotherembodiment in accordance with the present invention. This embodiment isthe same as FIG. 1 embodiment except for the following. Morespecifically, in the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the tablet 28installed on the original cover 22 can be accommodated while spooled upby the roller 30, but in this embodiment, like the optical system 36, atablet 28' which can be opened or closed is used. To be detailed, thetablet 28' formed by a rigid body, for example, glass or acrylate resinis installed so as to be capable of opening upward or closing downwardby the same shaft 34 supporting the optical system 36. This tablet 28'can be used also as an original cover, and accordingly in thisembodiment, the original cover 22 (FIG. 1) can be dispensed with.

In this embodiment, the tablet 28' cannot be removed, and thereforeafter specifying the position using the tablet 28' and the write pen 26as shown in FIG. 13, copying processing is executed with the tablet 28'left intact between the original face of the original 20 and the opticalsystem 36. However, depending upon material to be used, the lighttransmission factor of the tablet 28' is not poor, for example, 75% ormore, and therefore no deleterious effects result.

Furthermore, in place of the method of specifying the position using thetablet and the write pen as described above, as shown in FIG. 14, amethod may be applied wherein a transparent or semi-transparent sheet138 with lattice graduations is used, and the same is placed on theoriginal cover 22 only when specifying the position, sheet 138 beingremoved after completing the position specifying. In this case, theposition specifying for editing is performed using another keyboardwhile watching the graduations on the sheet 138.

A tablet constituted as a separate piece like this sheet 138 may beused. In that case, when the position is specified, a tablet of separatepiece is placed on the original cover 22, and thereafter the tablet isremoved to execute the copy processing.

FIG. 15 is an illustrative structural view showing still anotherembodiment in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment,means for detecting whether or not the optical system 36 and theoriginal cover 22 have been closed is added to the FIG. 1 embodiment. Tobe detailed, a first reflection-type photosensor 137 is installed on thetop surface in the vicinity of the free end of the original cover 22. Areflecting plate 137 for reflecting rays of light irradiated from thisfirst photosensor 136 is installed at the portion of the optical system36 corresponding to this first photosensor 136. Then, when the opticalsystem 36 is closed as shown in FIG. 3, rays of light from the firstphotosensor 136 are reflected by the reflecting plate 137 and areinputted again to it, and thereby a signal indicating that the opticalsystem 36 has been closed is outputted from the first photosensor 136.

Furthermore, a second reflection-type photosensor 140 is installedsomewhat nearer to the base end than to the free end of the originalcover 22. Then, a reflecting plate 142 for reflecting rays of lightirradiated from the second photosensor 140 is mounted on the portion ofthe original table 14 corresponding to the second photosensor 140. Whenthe original 20 placed on the original table 14 is covered by theoriginal cover 22, rays of light from the second photosensor 140 arereflected by the reflecting plate 142 and are inputted again to it, andthereby a signal indicating that the original 20 has been covered by theoriginal cover 22 is outputted from the second photosensor 140.

In this embodiment, copying is allowed to initiate only in response tooutputs from the above-described two photosensors 136 and 140.

Meanwhile, in the above-described embodiment, in the trimming or maskingmode, the region 130 or 132 to be trimmed or masked is defined as arectangular region by specifying the two points P1(X1, Y1) andP2(X2,Y2). However, for the shape of this region, a complicated shapesuch as a flat ellipse may be used in addition thereto. At this time,the position to be inputted by the write pen 26 has only to be a linerather than a point.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, in the centering mode, theoriginal is moved parallel to he X-axis, but it can also be movedparallel to to the Y-axis. At this time, the position of theelectrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 52 may bemoved parallel to the Y-axis on the copied image face, or the positionof the paper 70 sent by the register roller 74 may be shifted in thedirection of the Y-axis.

In addition, in the embodiment, the optical system 36 is supported atthe left end part of the operating part (not illustrated) on the mainunit 12. However, the supporting part of the optical system 36 may beinstalled at the right end of the main unit 12 or further at the rearend of the main unit 12.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated indetail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrationand example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spiritand scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrophotographic copying machine havingeditorial function comprising:an original table for placing an originalwith an original face to be copied facing upward, said original tableincluding supporting means for supporting said original from under itsoriginal face, said supporting means being upwardly and downwardlydisplaceable relative to said original, a tablet which is composed of atransparent or semitransparent material, and is disposed on saidoriginal face of said original placed on said original table, saidtablet including a pen movable to specify position on said tablet, saidtablet including means for generating positional data representing theposition of said pen, optical scanning means which has a movable lightsource and is for scanning said original face, a photosensitive memberwhich is exposed by light from said optical scanning means and forms anelectrostatic latent image thereon, and image forming means for forminga copied image in accordance with positional data from said tablet bymeans of an electrostatic latent image formed on said photosensitivemember and said positional data.
 2. An electrophotographic copyingmachine having editorial function in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid image forming means includes modifying means for modifying anelectrostatic latent image formed on said photosensitive member based onsaid position data from said tablet.
 3. An electrophotographic copyingmachine having editorial function in accordance with claim 2, whereinsaid modifying means includes a partial erase lamp for partiallyremoving charges on said photosensitive member.
 4. Anelectrophotographic copying machine having editorial function inaccordance with claim 3, wherein said partial erase lamp includes aplurality of light emitting devices arranged in the direction of widthof said photosensitive member, further comprisingmeans for selectivelylighting or putting out a plurality of said light emitting devices inaccordance with said positional data.
 5. An electrophotographic copyingmachine having editorial function in accordance with claim 2, whereinsaid image forming means includes developing means for toner-developingan electrostatic latent image formed on said photosensitive member andtransferring means for transferring a toner image toner-developed onto apaper in accordance with said positional data.
 6. An electrophotographiccopying machine having editorial function in accordance with claim 5,which further comprises means for determining timing of transfer by saidtransferring means.
 7. An electrophotographic copying machine havingeditorial function in accordance with claim 6, wherein said means fordetermining said timing of transfer includes stopping means for stoppingsaid paper once and sending the same again toward said photosensitivemember.
 8. An electrophotographic copying machine having editorialfunction in accordance with claim 1, wherein said supporting meansincludes an elastic body disposed under said original.
 9. Anelectrophotographic copying machine having editorial function inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said supporting means includes aflexible original holding plate supported by a plurality of coilsprings.
 10. An electrophotographic copying machine having editorialfunction in accordance with claim 1, which further comprises holdingmeans for holding said tablet in a manner capable of attaching on ordetaching from said original face.
 11. An electrophotographic copyingmachine having editorial function in accordance with claim 10, whereinsaid tablet is constituted as a separate piece.
 12. Anelectrophotographic copying machine having editorial functioncomprising:an original table for placing an original with an originalface to be copied facing upward, a tablet which is composed of atransparent or semitransparent material, and is disposed on saidoriginal face of said original placed on said original table, saidtablet including a pen movable to specify position on said tablet, saidtablet including means for generating positional data representing theposition of said pen, optical scanning means which has a movable lightsource and is for scanning said original face, a photosensitive memberwhich is exposed by light from said optical scanning means and forms anelectrostatic latent image thereon, image forming means for forming acopied image in accordance with positional data from said tablet bymeans of an electrostatic latent image formed on said photosensitivemember and said positional data, holding means for holding said tabletin a manner capable of attaching or detaching said tablet from saidoriginal face, said tablet being composed of a flexible material, andsaid holding means including means for spooling up said tablet.
 13. Anelectrophotographic copying machine having editorial function inaccordance with claim 12, wherein said holding means includes means forholding rotatably said tablet, and said tablet can be opened or closedto said original face.
 14. An electrophotographic copying machine havingeditorial function comprising:an original table for placing an originalwith an original face to be copied facing upward, a tablet which iscomposed of a transparent or semitransparent material, and is disposedon said original face of said original placed on said original table,said tablet including a pen movable to specify position on said tablet,said tablet including means for generating positional data representingthe position of said pen, optical scanning means which has a movablelight source and is for scanning said original face, photosensitivemember which is exposed by light from said optical scanning means andforms an electrostatic latent image thereon, image forming means forforming a copied image in accordance with positional data from saidtable by means of an electrostatic latent image formed on saidphotosensitive member and said positional data, and mounting means formounting said optical scanning means in a manner capable of opening andclosing with respect to said original face.
 15. An electrophotographiccopying machine having editorial function in accordance with claim 14,wherein said image forming means includes modifying means for modifyingan electrostatic latent image formed on said photosensitive member basedon said position data from said tablet.
 16. An electrophotographiccopying machine having editorial function in accordance with claim 15,wherein said modifying means includes a partial erase lamp for partiallyremoving charges on said photosensitive member.
 17. Anelectrophotographic copying machine having editorial function inaccordance with claim 16, wherein said partial erase lamp includes aplurality of light emitting devices arranged in the direction of widthof said photosensitive member, further comprising:means for selectivelylighting or putting out a plurality of said light emitting devices inaccordance with said positional data.
 18. An electrophotographic copyingmachine having editorial function in accordance with claim 14, whereinsaid image forming means includes developing means for toner-developingan electrostatic latent image formed on said photosensitive member andtransferring means for transferring a toner image toner-developed onto apaper in accordance with said positional data.
 19. Anelectrophotographic copying machine having editorial function inaccordance with claim 18, which further comprises means for determiningtiming of transfer by said transferring means.
 20. Anelectrophotographic copying machine having editorial function inaccordance with claim 19, wherein said means for determining said timingof transfer includes stopping means for stopping said paper once andsending the same again toward said photosensitive member.
 21. Anelectrophotographic copying machine having editorial function inaccordance with claim 14, which further includes a main unit, whereinsaid mounting means includes a supporting part for supporting saidoptical scanning means in a manner capable of swinging with respect tosaid main unit at the upper part of said original table with thevicinity of one end part of said main unit acting as a fulcrum.
 22. Anelectrophotographic copying machine having editorial function inaccordance with claim 21, wherein said supporting part supports saidoptical scanning means at the vicinity of the right end part or at thevicinity of the left end part of said operating part.
 23. Anelectrophotographic copying machine having editorial function inaccordance with claim 21, wherein said supporting part supports saidoptical scanning means at the vicinity of the rear face end part of saidmain unit.
 24. An electrophotographic copying machine having editorialfunction in accordance with claim 21, wherein said optical scanningmeans includes a movable light source which moves while lighting on saidoriginal, a reflecting mirror for reflecting an original image reflectedfrom said original, and a lens for producing said original image on saidphotosensitive member.
 25. An electrophotographic copying machine havingeditorial function in accordance with claim 14, which further comprisesa main unit and detecting means which is installed on said main unit andis for detecting whether or not said optical scanning means has beenclosed.
 26. An electrophotographic copying machine having editorialfunction in accordance with claim 25, which further comprises anoriginal covering plate which is installed between said original tableand said optical scanning means and consists of a transparent material.27. An electrophotographic copying machine having editorial function inaccordance with claim 26, wherein said detecting means includes meansfor detecting whether or not said original covering plate has beenclosed.
 28. An electrophotographic copying machine having editorialfunction comprising:an original table for placing an original with anoriginal face to be copied facing upward, a graduation member which hascoordinate graduations and is disposed removably from said original faceof said original placed on said original table, said graduation memberbeing formed of a transparent or semitransparent material so as to beable to see said original face through said graduation member, positionspecifying means for specifying a position of said original face to beedited by sight through said graduation member, specified positionaldata being outputted from said position specifying means, opticalscanning means for scanning said original face whereon said graduationmember is removed on said original face, a photosensitive member whichis exposed by light from said optical scanning means and forms anelectrostatic latent image thereon, and image forming means for forminga copied image responding to said specified positional data by means ofsaid electrostatic latent image formed on said photosensitive member andsaid specified positional data.